Alvarez, Badgers’ godfather, answers call

JAE C. HONG
Credit: AP
Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez (left) and a person dressed as Mickey Mouse, center, high-five as Stanford Coach David Shaw (right) watches during a news conference at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday. Alvarez, who coached at Wisconsin from 1990-2005, will coach the Badgers in today’s Rose Bowl, following the departure of Bret Bielema to Arkansas.

Barry Alvarez said he felt compelled to protect the Wisconsin program he built into a power when his successor, Bret Bielema, left the Badgers for Arkansas three days after clinching a third consecutive trip to Pasadena.